Mission / Vision

Our Credentials:

Equity American School of Guatemala, founded in 1988 as a private school, has been operating for twenty-nine years, is accredited in the U.S. by AdvancED and NIPSA, and approved by the U.S. Department of State for overseas dependents. We are truly a unique premier school with small classes, a challenging academic environment, a U.S. accredited program that prepares students for U.S. Universities. All of our students and staff experience numerous hours of hands-on service for the less fortunate in Guatemala during a school year calendar that goes from early August through May.

Our Mission

Equity American School is a multicultural pre-kindergarten through 12th grade college preparatory school that serves the local and international community in Guatemala City. We provide a unique learning environment with small classes and an engaging U.S. curriculum designed to prepare our students for continued academic success at other international schools and U.S. universities. From first through twelfth grades all students participate in orchestra five periods a week. Our dedicated staff, inquiring students, and supportive parents communicate effectively and work together to prepare students to embrace a dynamic and demanding future. In addition to providing an excellent academic preparation, we foster and encourage community service, student leadership, and high moral standards, in order to prepare our students to reach their highest attainable goals in whatever endeavor they choose.

Our Vision

Equity American School strives to provide a fulfilling educational experience that prepares our students to become honorable, proactive citizens and leaders of the 21st century.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION AND CONTINUANCE

Admission:We are an approved school for dependents of the United States Department of State. We accept all students that meet our academic and conduct requirements, regardless of race, religion, or national origin.

Age Requirements For Pre Kinder, Kindergarten and First Grade: Pre Kinder students should be four years of age on or before August 1.Kinder students should be five years of age on or before August 1.First Grade students should be six years of age on or before August 1.

English Language and Curriculum Proficiency Requirements:

Except for Pre-Kinder, all applicants must demonstrate approximate grade level proficiency in English and U.S. accredited curriculum to qualify for admission. For admission into Kindergarten, students that have completed a year in the Equity American School Pre-Kinder will have preference over students from non U.S. accredited programs.

Application Process:

If an applicant has had previous school experience, he/she shall submit grade reports, and, or transcripts which shall reflect at least an 85% composite average with no failing grade for the previous school year, and a letter of good conduct from their previous school.

Generally, student applicants will be required to take an admissions exam to determine their proficiency at the grade level applied for. An exam may not be required if the applicant submits proof of outstanding academic achievement for the previous two school years.

Although the required documents and the application may be submitted via mail, courier, or delivered by an intermediary, at some point the application process is completed in person by the applicant and the parents, or legal guardians.

If there is space available and all of the above requirements are met, the school principal, or principals submit the materials, together with their recommendation to The Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee consists of both school principals, plus the Director, or the Executive Director.

In some cases, the Admissions Committee may request a personal interview with the applicant and his, or her parents. Generally, the Committee will render a decision within five work days of receiving the completed application and pertinent documents.

Continuance:

While attending the Equity American School, seven credits are required each year by all ninth through twelfth grade students. Due to our core subject curriculum and small classes, we are able to accommodate students who have been in gifted and talented programs in the U.S.

Students receiving less than an 85% composite average, or a failure in any course during any quarter are placed on Academic Probation for the next quarter and must bring their grades up to standard if they are to continue at the school. We have found that most students on Academic Probation willing to put forth the extra effort can overcome any academic deficiencies. Our teachers work closely with students to bring them back on track. With students, teachers and parents working together we have achieved excellent results. Our learning environment attracts and encourages highly motivated students to build on their talents and become responsible young adults, ready to step up to the next level of their education.

ACCEPTANCE OF OUR STUDENTS AT OTHER SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSTIES

Our main strength from the viewpoint of the academic community is our academic record. In transferring from Equity to other elementary or upper schools, our students are readily accepted. Our elementary through tenth grade students are tested and comparatively evaluated yearly through a national standardized exam (SAT-10). Our juniors and seniors are tested with both the SAT and ACT college entrance exams. All students who originate from a country where English is not the native language must also pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL-iBT) exam.

Our High School program is college preparatory. We prepare our students well for the university environment by challenging them academically and by teaching them how to organize themselves and develop good study habits. Their scores on the SAT, ACT, and TOEFL exams reflect their solid preparation for university. Most of our graduates earn scores above U.S. national averages. One hundred percent of our graduates are accepted at U.S. universities or colleges. During the past five years, the majority of our graduates have averaged between 40% and 60% of their university tuition expense in scholarships and grants.